AAI gets nod of approval from FITA

Indian government may have de-recognised the Archery Association of India (AAI), but the International Archery body (FITA) today upheld the election of the association and offered all possible support for the future. The government had derecognized the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation (IABF) and Archery Association of India (AAI) on Friday over the suspicion of irregularities in their modes of functioning including the conduct of polls. The decision came after the IABF was suspended by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) for 'possible manipulation' of its elections, in the wake of a wider Olympic ban that has left sports in the Asian country reeling. Speaking to a reporter in New Delhi, President of the Archery Association of India (AAI), Vijay Kumar Malhotra revealed a letter from FITA secretary general, Tom Dielen, which recognises the election conducted by the Indian body.